If you’re heading to Orlando and thinking SeaWorld is just a place for fish, dolphins and a few damp penguins, then you couldn’t be more wrong.
SeaWorld Orlando is one of those theme parks that somehow manages to be both a wildlife park and a full-on thrill-seeker’s playground. One minute you’re wandering past flamingos and sea lions, and the next you’re strapped into a roller coaster wondering about your life choices!
And, by ‘roller coaster’, I mean proper roller coasters.
Mako is the standout for me. It’s fast, smooth and has that lovely feeling of your stomach being left somewhere back at the station while the rest of you carries on without it. Then there’s Kraken, which has been throwing people upside down for years, and the fabulous Penguin Trek.
It’s worth knowing that on the way out of Penguin Trek you do get to see lots of actual real life penguins. In fact, I just Googled and there are, in fact six different types of penguins here. It is of course freezing cold for them, which is a wonderful relief after the blazing Orlando sun!
Another memorable ride was Infinity Falls, a water raft ride. Please note, you will get absolutely drenched on this – do it early on in the day so you have time to dry off before you head home!
On this visit we took a ride on the SeaWorld Sky Tower, which is one we have never managed before (it does close in stormy weather). Although it’s very high, it isn’t scary. You get a comfortable seat, an incredible view and a chance to cool down in an air-conditioned room! It isn’t included in your ticket though and is an additional $6 each.
But SeaWorld isn’t just about the rides. There’s plenty of marine life to see, with sharks, rays, penguins, manatees and plenty of other creatures making an appearance. The aquarium areas give you a chance to slow down for five minutes, which is handy after you’ve just been launched at the approximate speed of a startled pigeon.
There are additional animal experiences that you can pay more for. In the past we have done the dolphin encounter as well as the Sharks Up-Close Tour. I would recommend both of these.
There are several shows on throughout the day. You can download an app or pick up a map with showtimes on the back. Before you go though, you can look online and see what times the shows will be and then plan your day around the shows, as it would be so easy to miss them and that would be a real shame!
The park itself is big, clean and generally well presented, although like most Orlando attractions, you’ll want comfortable shoes. And when I say comfortable, I mean properly comfortable. This is not the place for your fancy going-out trainers, wear the worn in ones!
The past couple of years that we have visited we have eaten in Voyager’s Smokehouse, which has excellent food for a theme park. It’s also included in the ‘All-Day Dining Deal’ which I cover in full here.
The big question, of course, is whether SeaWorld is worth visiting.
For me, yes — particularly if you like a mixture of animals, shows and big roller coasters. If you’re purely after Disney-style theming and fairy-tale atmosphere, there are other parks that will probably suit you better. But if you want a day out that combines marine life with some genuinely cracking rides, SeaWorld is well worth putting on the Orlando itinerary.
Just remember: apply the sun cream, wear sensible shoes, take plenty of water and don’t eat a massive burger immediately before Mako!
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